GQ Style Magazine

Travis Scott doesn't fall on stage, he flies

Houston rapper, producer and hit maker Travis Scott is hip-hop’s new king-in-waiting, rising up on his own unique wave of nihilism and wide ranging collaborations with Rihanna, Tinashe, Bieber and now a collection with Helmut Lang. Travis is not just hot right now – this boy is on fire. Get an exclusive preview of our interview and covershoot with Scott below. Photography by Terry Richardson | Styling by Elgar Johnson | Interview by Paul Flynn
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Whitewashed cotton jersey crew neck by Gucci. gucci.com. Necklaces, bracelets and rings (worn throughout) by Rafaello & Co. rafaelloandcompany.com. Bracelet by Cartier. cartier.com. Grillz by Johnny Dang & Co. tvjohnny.net. Earrings Travis’ own.Terry Richardson

Travis Scott on falling through the stage whilst performing with Drake in London, temporarily rendering the set unworkable:“I didn’t fall, dude, I flew. I was floating. I don’t fall. Shit, nothing happened. Floating is amazing. It’s like getting in a plane. I just flew, man. I’m a magician, like David Blaine. I could never fall. Drake is an amazing person. Also, a magician. He’s a big brother, super-talent, he’s cool.”

On whether his big pop collaborations are strategic:“Nah, I wouldn’t make music with you if I didn’t know you. If you’re a good artist and if you know it as well, I’m down. So I don’t look at it as pop. I also look at the artist, for their voice or influence, their style of music. I don’t see it as pop.”

White cotton crew neck sweatshirt by Champion. champion.com. Grillz by Johnny Dang & Co. tvjohnny.net. Earrings Travis’ own.Terry Richardson

On Houston:“I feel like Houston is one of the leading things in music culture. Everyone loves the Houston culture. It needs to have its own monument, its own moment for artists like me, artists like Beyoncé who set it off. Beyoncé is like the highest level. We all reach for that level”

On his next record, 'AstroWorld':“The next record is called 'AstroWorld'. It might be the best music that I made. I have two records on the album that are like, man, they are the best. They tore down 'AstroWorld' to build more apartment space. That’s what it’s going to sound like, like taking an amusement park away from kids. We want it back. We want the building back. That’s why I’m doing it. It took the fun out of the city.”

GQ Style Spring/Summer 2017 hits digital and physical newsstands on 16 March, priced £6.50. Find out where you can get your copy here.